Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Lyceum secured at least a playoff for a twice-to-beat edge in the Final Four after blasting Mapua, 92-76, in the NCAA Season 94 men’s basketball tournament Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
CJ Perez led the way with 20 points and 11 assists as every Pirate who played scored.
“It’s with Im really happy to see my players find that groove after losing,” said Lyceum head coach Topex Robinson after steering his team to a 14-1 record. “We know it’s gonna be a tough climb from here because we’re gonna play Letran, CSB and San Beda for the next couple of weeks.”
“Everybody was having fun and having fun for us is moving the basketball. This game was a testament to it,” Robinson added.
Lyceum pulled away in the second quarter where it outscored Mapua, 32-15, and led by as much as 24 points.
JV Marcelino missed his second straight game after suffering a deep cut in the face in Lyceum’s stunning loss to University of Perpetual Help on September 21 that needed eight stitches.
Warren Bonifacio had 17 points for the Cardinals (4-11) while Justin Serrano added 15, including 13 in the third quarter where the game got testy.